The average annual salary for dentists has increased from $178,260 in 2019 to $191,750 in 2023, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Dentists earned the most in Rhode Island in 2019 and 2020, Delaware in 2021 and in 2022, and Vermont in 2023.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated compensation data April 3 to reflect May 2023 information, the latest available.
Here is the average annual salary for dentists, along with the average earnings in the highest-paying state in each year since 2019:
Mean annual wage: $178,260
Mean hourly wage: $85.70
Highest-paying state: Rhode Island, annual wage of $262,900
Mean annual wage: $180,830
Mean hourly wage: $86.94
Highest-paying state: Rhode Island, annual wage of $258,920
Mean annual wage: $167,160
Mean hourly wage: $80.37
Highest-paying state: Delaware, annual wage of $233,860
Mean annual wage: $172,290
Mean hourly wage: $82.83
Highest-paying state: Delaware, annual wage of $206,270
Mean annual wage: $191,750
Mean hourly wage: $92.19
Highest-paying state: Vermont, annual wage of $260,380